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Quick Disconnects For Argon

Hey All. I would like to have a quick disconnect at the end of the hose coming from my argon regulator that would attach to the end of my TIG torch hose. My question is can I use the same couplers that you use on air hose to attach air tools to? Thanks.

Re: Quick Disconnects For Argon

We built argon and mixed gas headers for our welding school booths using automotive air chucks, and hung the individual regulators themselves from the QDs by replacing the inlet nipples (note they were on a LOW PRESSURE line of about 35 psi which is ample). Fed them from dewars (liquid argon) or cylinders as needed. Worked fine and is still in use.

Students sign out a TIG rig, plug it in, and weld. If they need purge, they sign out a second regulator. Survived student abuse just fine.

If air hose connectors leak, they aren't quality air hose connectors. I'd use pneumatic QDs without hesitation but not cheapo parts with cast nipples.

I'd just go to NAPA or other non-guano auto parts store, get appropriate brass hardware, and have at it.

If you want enhanced slickness, Western Enterprises has lots of cool brass welding gas fittings you can buy online (or print the page and take it to your LWS to order). You could go "argon fitting to National Pipe Thread" and use that adapter to mate your chuck to your regulator. Then you could mate your hoses to air chuck nipples and have a pretty no-cut install.

Cutting and splicing the argon hose with only air chuck parts and hose barbs would work equally well.

Re: Quick Disconnects For Argon

Originally Posted by farmall

We built argon and mixed gas headers for our welding school booths using automotive air chucks, and hung the individual regulators themselves from the QDs (note they were on a LOW PRESSURE line of about 35 psi which is ample). Fed them from dewars (liquid argon) or cylinders as needed. Worked fine and is still in use.

Students would sign out a TIG rig, plug it in, and weld. If they needed purge, they'd sign out a second regulator. Survived student abuse just fine.

If air hose connectors leak, they aren't quality air hose connectors. I'd use pneumatic QDs without hesitation but not cheapo parts with cast nipples.

It's different when a school(taxes) pays for the gas. They probably don't watch it close, just pay the bill. When it comes out of your own pocket, you will watch it close. any leakage cost money.

Re: Quick Disconnects For Argon

I use standard Milton air fittings. I have had no leakage. I use a standard RUBBER, Goodyear air hose. And that hose is used for argon ONLY. Second pic is the pigtail on the back of my wire feeder.

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Re: Quick Disconnects For Argon

Thanks for all the leads and info everybody. I'm going to start out with air hose disconnects first to see what I can accomplish with the set up I am trying. If it works well , I'll upgrade to western.

Re: Quick Disconnects For Argon

I use good quality air hose fittings and havent had a problem. If you are using a ball regulator, it is easy to tell if there is a leak- if you arent welding and it indicates flow, you have a problem. At least this is true for a solenoid machine. Otherwise if your valve on the torch is off and you still have flow, you have a leak.